Effect of Changes in Surface Visual Properties of Heat-treated Wood on the Psychological Preference
Yue Zhang,
Yeyingzi Guo,
Peixing Wei,
Zhengbin He,
Songlin Yi,
Guangjie Zhao
Affiliations
Yue Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China; Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, P R China
Yeyingzi Guo
Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, P R China
Peixing Wei
Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, P R China
Zhengbin He
State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China
Songlin Yi
State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China
Guangjie Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Material Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, P R China
Heat treatment of wood is an attractive, environmentally friendly modification, which can change surface visual properties of wood including color and grain, but it is unclear how heat-treated wood is perceived and evaluated compared with untreated wood. In this paper, Chinese fir was heat-treated at 160, 180, 200, or 220 °C for 2 or 4 h. The changes of wood surface color and grain contrast were measured. A subjective questionnaire and eye-tracking technology were used for psychological evaluation. The results showed that changes in the visual properties of heat-treated wood had a significant effect on psychological preference—heat-treated wood was generally more preferred than the untreated, particularly at 200 °C for 4 h. Grain contrast and hue played an important role in the preference for heat-treated wood. The preference gave people the positive psychological impression of warmth, weight, cost, prevalence, and comfort. Eye-tracking analysis showed that Chinese fir heat-treated at about 200 °C with high hue value and clear grain contrast was easier to gain more visual attention. The results would have a high technical reference value for the heat-treated wood in product visual design.
